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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 17:33:56 GMT -5
Cs play toughest game left, last chance for a statement tonight vs PHI
By Justin Quinn
This is it for the Boston Celtics, folks.
This is the last game of the 2018-19 NBA Regular Season Boston can make a statement about who this team is. Sure, they still have some tough outs, to be sure - the San Antonio Spurs will always take your lunch money if they catch you asleep at the wheel, and the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are quite capable of doing the same.
But beating these teams though very good they may be, simply doesn't mean much to a unit whose sole shot at redemption for an underwhelming season is success against teams that have a real shot at a banner.
Image: Noah Graham/NBAE
As much as the post-Victor Oladipo injury Pacers are a good story, the Spurs a monument to the perpetual excellence of Gregg Popovich, or the Heat to their culture of internal development, nobody outside their respective fanbases believe those teams will contend come April, and even the homers aren't out in force.
In a season the Celtics could have dominated not just the stacked Atlantic Division, but the East and possibly league itself, complacency and poor communication produced a middling semblance of a "switch-flipping" team, and, save for when every game lost brings your season closer to being over, this is the last tune-up left to really get a feel for what this team can do.
Sans Gordon Hayward, this team will take the floor tonight to make a statement as much to fight for a home series, and the fact it's not for several home series is not lost on the fans, nor, likely, the players.
They do have this last opportunity to set the record straight, to show us who they are, to prove the doubters wrong. They can close out the final ten games with momentum, sliding into the playoffs with the cohesion and intensity they have often lacked up until recently. Maybe even the fourth seed, and a shot at the third.
If they lose, well, who knows where this ride stops. I suspect somewhere that looks very differently, both inside and out. The specter of an Anthony Davis trade still hangs over this team, and mustering the effort to play with guys you may never play with again can't be easy.
But, as ludicrous as this might sound, the glass is half-full as well as half-empty; there could be no better way to show you belong in Boston than effort in the postseason, than to enter it with a full head of steam and a raging desire to win.
This is why we love Isaiah Thomas, after all -- not because of winning (of course that's important, but we control the things we can), but for giving his all for his team, to a fault. The only way forward for this motley assortment of stars and protostars is...together.
And tonight we see what they choose.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 17:42:23 GMT -5
Preview: Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ersLooking for the season sweep, the Celtics head to the City of Brotherly Love to take on Joel Embiid and the Sixers.By Jack Noonan Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
After a well-deserved three-game home stand, Boston hits the road again to face the Sixers tonight and the Hornets in Charlotte on Saturday. The Celtics will be coming off a tough home loss to the Nuggets on Monday night where they just could not get the run they needed without Denver matching on the other end. The team will need to be able to overcome that adversity tonight if they stand a chance against a hot Philadelphia team playing some of their best basketball of their season. The Sixers are currently on a five game win streak which included an impressive victory on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. It was a primetime game on ABC, and they brought another level that we have not seen since the addition of Tobias Harris. Butler, Harris, and Embiid (with 40 points) all scored in double digits which took them the distance against a 52-point performance from Giannis Antetokounmpo. During this five-game win streak, Philadelphia has a 115.0 offensive rating and a 106.1 defensive rating for the third best net rating over this time span. Embiid has continued to lead the team, but Jimmy Butler has also gotten in a groove offensively over the past few games averaging 21.0 points a bump up from his season average. However, as we all know to this point, the Celtics are the Sixers kryptonite, and there is no telling what is going to happen in tonight’s game. The Celtics have won all three previous matchups against the Sixers this season. It is crazy to this point how much real estate the Celtics own in the heads of the Sixers’ players. Either Al Horford stretching out Joel Embiid, everyone sagging off Ben Simmons and clogging the paint, or exploiting bench matchups every chance they get, Brad Stevens and the Celtics know exactly how to slow down this Philadelphia team. For tonight, the game plan will probably be the same. Brett Brown has not changed anything to this point to believe in the Sixers against the Celtics. Maybe their team will come out riding the win streak and start off hot, but if the past three other games have showed anything, the Celtics will also have a good chance to win against this Sixers team. The key tonight, and again in this matchup, is Al Horford. As mentioned, Horford completely throws a wrench into the normal game plan with Joel Embiid. He does not know how to go about guarding Horford because of how uncomfortable Embiid is outside of the paint. It happens time and time again of either Embiid closing out too late leading to a three or Horford being able to drive past him for a layup. Either option is a positive possession for the Celtics. Then, if there needs to be a change of pace, Aron Baynes can come in to contribute. As always, Horford (and Baynes to an extent) is the key for the Celtics. The Celtics will only be without Gordon Hayward for tonight’s game. He is remaining in NBA concussion protocol after colliding with John Collins on a screen late in the first quarter of Saturday’s win over the Hawks. He came up woozy right after and went straight back to the locker room. He was not in the game Monday against the Nuggets, but he hopes to join the team again in Charlotte. Outside of Hayward, only Horford is on the injury report but is probable with his nagging knee soreness. He should be good to go for this one. The starting lineup will be more of the same tonight. Against Philadelphia, they have had great success with this starting five, so there should not be any changes. Hopefully Jaylen Brown will continue his uptick in minutes as he is playing as the best scorer on the team not named Kyrie. He is fitting well in his bench role which should continue tonight if he can feast on a weaker Philadelphia bench unit. We can also expect a great game between these teams. The Celtics will try and finish off the season sweep.
Projected Starters: BOS - PHIPG – Kyrie Irving – Ben SimmonsSG – Marcus Smart – J.J. ReddickSF – Jayson Tatum – Jimmy ButlerPF – Marcus Morris – Tobias HarrisC – Al Horford – Joel Embiid
InjuriesBoston – Gordon Hayward (Concussion Protocol); Al Horford (Knee Soreness) Philadelphia – Furkan Korkmaz (Knee); Zhaire Smith (Foot); Shake Milton (Finger)
How To WatchTime - 7:00 ESTTV – ESPN / NBC Sports Boston
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 17:50:10 GMT -5
Why Boston Celtics fans should root for the Philadelphia 76ers until May 14th by Michael James... Celtics fans should pull for the Sixers to get the third seed, leading to a favorable Celtics-Pacers first round matchup, and then to take out the Raptors in the second round. The Celtics should be confident in playing the Raptors in the conference finals should that be the case, but that confidence level pales in comparison to if the Sixers were there waiting for them. The Sixers are the Celtics’ little brother. Since the beginning of last season including the playoffs, the Celtics are 10-2 against Philly. Al Horford has consistently won his matchup with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons instills about as much fear in the Boston defense as you’d have watching this video of puppies snuggling with babies. Philly’s most effective offensive option, using JJ Redick in dribble hand-offs, is nearly neutralized by the Celtics’ perimeter defense as well as their ability to exploit Redick in the post. Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris were supposed to be the additions that put Philly over the top, but they couldn’t even beat the Celtics at home without Kyrie Irving. The Sixers have something to prove to themselves that they can actually beat this Celtics team, so if they come away with the win Wednesday night I won’t be surprised. But of all the teams with a chance to make it to the conference finals, the Sixers are the team Boston matches up best with. So from tomorrow until May 14th, root for the Sixers, they represent the easiest path to the NBA Finals for the Celtics.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 17:56:08 GMT -5
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Post by petey62 on Mar 20, 2019 18:03:25 GMT -5
The Celtics will lose tonight. They really don't have any motivation to win. I think we will be satisfied finishing #5 in the east.
We might face a Dipo-less Pacers team in round 1 followed by a Bucks team who might not have Mirotic (or just returning from thumb injury) and Brogdon.
I think the Celtics would take that for rounds 1 and 2 so I don't see any real motivation for the Celtics to come out like this is a "must win" game.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:06:15 GMT -5
Philadelphia faces Boston, aims for 5th straight home winAP
Boston Celtics (43-28, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (46-25, third in the Eastern Conference)BOTTOM LINE: Philadelphia hosts Boston trying to prolong its four-game home winning streak. The 76ers are 6-8 against the rest of their division. Philadelphia is the top team in the Eastern Conference with 27.1 assists per game, led by Ben Simmons averaging 7.8. The Celtics are 10-4 against the rest of the division. Boston averages 13.1 turnovers per game and is 14-9 when turning the ball over more than opponents. The Celtics won the last meeting between these two squads 112-109 on Feb. 12. Gordon Hayward led the way with 26 points. TOP PERFORMERS: Simmons leads the 76ers with 7.8 assists and scores 17.1 points per game. Tobias Harris has averaged 18.8 points and collected 8.1 rebounds while shooting 48.5 percent over the last 10 games for Philadelphia. Kyrie Irving leads the Celtics scoring 23.7 points and collecting 5.0 rebounds. Marcus Morris has averaged 6.3 rebounds and added 13.4 points per game over the last 10 games for Boston. LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 113.7 points, 41.9 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 9.3 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points on 47.2 percent shooting. 76ers: 7-3, averaging 112 points, 50.4 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 7.8 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.6 points on 44.4 percent shooting. 76ers Injuries: Furkan Korkmaz: out (torn right meniscus), Joel Embiid: day to day (rest). Celtics Injuries: Al Horford: day to day (knee), Gordon Hayward: out (concussion).
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:18:52 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:23:28 GMT -5
Quarter: 1 Time Description Score 12:00 Celtics lineup change (Al Horford, Marcus Morris, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart) 0-0 12:00 76ers lineup change (Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, JJ Redick) 0-0 12:00 Al Horford vs. Joel Embiid (Kyrie Irving gains possession) 0-0 11:45 Kyrie Irving makes three point jump shot (Al Horford assists) 3-0 11:27 Stoppage (Out of bounds) 3-0 11:23 Jimmy Butler misses three point jump shot 3-0 11:19 Kyrie Irving defensive rebound 3-0 11:12 Al Horford misses two point jump shot 3-0 11:09 Tobias Harris defensive rebound 3-0 11:01 Al Horford shooting foul (Joel Embiid draws the foul) 3-0 11:01 Joel Embiid misses regular free throw 1 of 2 3-0 11:01 Joel Embiid makes regular free throw 2 of 2 3-1 10:49 Kyrie Irving makes three point jump shot (Jayson Tatum assists) 6-1 10:31 Tobias Harris makes two point turnaround jump shot 6-3 10:22 Marcus Smart misses two point jump shot 6-3 10:20 Joel Embiid defensive rebound 6-3 10:15 Jump ball. Ben Simmons (Tobias Harris gains possession) 6-3 10:06 Joel Embiid misses two point layup 6-3 10:03 Tobias Harris offensive rebound 6-3 10:03 Tobias Harris misses two point putback layup 6-3 10:03 Tobias Harris offensive rebound 6-3 9:59 Jayson Tatum blocks Tobias Harris's two point layup 6-3 9:58 Kyrie Irving defensive rebound 6-3 9:56 Al Horford makes two point floating jump shot (Kyrie Irving assists) 8-3 9:38 Tobias Harris misses two point jump shot 8-3 9:36 Jayson Tatum defensive rebound 8-3 9:32 Marcus Smart makes three point jump shot (Jayson Tatum assists) 11-3 9:19 JJ Redick makes three point jump shot (Ben Simmons assists) 11-6 9:10 Kyrie Irving misses three point jump shot 11-6 9:07 Joel Embiid defensive rebound 11-6 9:00 Kyrie Irving shooting foul (Jimmy Butler draws the foul) 11-6 9:00 Jimmy Butler makes regular free throw 1 of 2 11-7 9:00 Jimmy Butler makes regular free throw 2 of 2 11-8 8:51 Ben Simmons personal foul (Kyrie Irving draws the foul) 11-8 8:48 Jayson Tatum makes two point finger roll layup (Marcus Smart assists) 13-8 8:35 Ben Simmons turnover (traveling) 13-8 8:26 Marcus Morris misses two point jump shot 13-8 8:23 Kyrie Irving offensive rebound 13-8
8:22 Kyrie Irving makes two point driving layup 15-8 8:22 JJ Redick shooting foul (Kyrie Irving draws the foul) 15-8
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:25:44 GMT -5
8:19 Joel Embiid defensive rebound
15-8
8:06 JJ Redick misses three point jump shot
15-8
8:04 Joel Embiid offensive rebound
15-8
8:02 Tobias Harris makes three point jump shot (Joel Embiid assists)
15-11
7:45 Jayson Tatum misses two point jump shot
15-11
7:42 Aron Baynes offensive rebound
15-11
7:36 Marcus Morris makes two point jump shot
17-11
7:24 Ben Simmons makes two point finger roll layup (Joel Embiid assists)
17-13
7:24 Jayson Tatum shooting foul (Ben Simmons draws the foul)
17-13
7:24 Ben Simmons misses regular free throw 1 of 1
17-13
7:22 Aron Baynes defensive rebound
17-13
7:12 Stoppage (Out of bounds)
17-13
7:05 Jimmy Butler personal foul (Jayson Tatum draws the foul)
17-13
6:56 Kyrie Irving makes two point floating jump shot
19-13
6:55 76ers 60 second timeout
19-13
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:31:47 GMT -5
Kyrie leads C's with 10pts ... Harris the Sixers with 9 as he ties it up 21 all ...
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:41:20 GMT -5
Sixer 8-2 run as Al misses a three but off the DRBD Kyrie scores again ... Harris answers ... 26-24 Celtics
Tatum a layup and Al a jumper for 6pt lead ...
Embiid falls on KI forcing a TO sans the foul leading to a Sixer score ... 30-26
KI gets a couple FTs ... 32-26
Rozy makes a three ... 35-26 Celtics!
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:42:50 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:52:34 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:54:30 GMT -5
Sixer fans starting to "boo" as C's go up 13 on Rozy three ...
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:56:45 GMT -5
Baynes glides past Embid for the layup and Embiid gives him a soft elbow while he's hanging on the rim ...
Another Roze colored glasses three ... 55-41 Celtics!
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 18:58:40 GMT -5
Rozier (14pts) AGAIN for MOAR threes when he's not doing this tonight!
4-4 and now an OF on Embiid from frustration ... C's OWN the Sixers and Embiid can't overcome the Horford/Baynes outside/inside combo!
58-43 C's ...
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 19:04:01 GMT -5
Baynes out in a pile up ... he's limping ... Advantage Embiid now.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 19:06:52 GMT -5
Irving some razzle-dazzle in the lane is fouled by Embiid with a push to the body as Sixer fans boo their brains out ... Ignorant Fucks!
Now a Technical on Sixers for arguing ... KI misses that but makes both FTs ... 60-45 C's
PS: Baynes rolled an ankle
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 20, 2019 19:10:19 GMT -5
KI shot decision. Honestly. Two back to back crappy threes without passing the ball. Up by 15, we should think about being up 20. But no. He has to shoot. Not pass but shoot. Thats the part i hate about his game. Me me me me.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 19:13:29 GMT -5
Sixers 19 fts, Celtics 8
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 19:15:40 GMT -5
Make that 3 missed threes !!!
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 20, 2019 19:16:27 GMT -5
KI again before half. Its almost like he cant stand someone from his team outscoring him. Use your teammates, feed tha fkn guys man..
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Post by Cabutan on Mar 20, 2019 19:17:38 GMT -5
I tell ya. He has to walk away at the end of the season. He is not a teammate. Just whenever he wants to.
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Post by kyceltic on Mar 20, 2019 19:17:53 GMT -5
Dumbest man in basketball!!
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2019 19:18:40 GMT -5
A late whistle on Smart after the shot & clock expired ... friendly refs give Redick 3 fts to end the 1st half!
69-58
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